My thoughts on the new Canon EOS 60D & Canon L lenses

UPDATE October 4, 2010: 60D now shipping!

Surprisingly, the Canon 60D is already in stock and shipping from Amazon.com – quite a bit earlier than expected! If history tells us any lesson, it might sell out soon as the T2i initially sold out after only 2 days, and it took them months before retailers had any significant supply of the camera again.

As most of you might have heard by now, Canon has announced the EOS 60D, the successor to – you guessed it – its 50D model.

Canon EOS 60D

At $1.100 body-only, it’s positioned between the entry-level T2i/550D and the 7D and picks the “best of both worlds” regarding its features.

Like all new Canon DSLR models, it shoots beautiful 1080p video, and it is to be expected that it is the exact same quality that the 7D and the T2i/550D deliver. The CMOS sensor has the same size and resolution (APS-C with 18 MP) – I in fact think it’s the exact same sensor as in those two, because I doubt that Canon would expensively develop a new sensor for one model alone (why should they).

Canon 60D with articulated screen

New features relevant for DSLR video shooters

Now we finally have a Canon DSLR that has an articulated screen, which might be much more significant than you think. Ever since I started shooting with Canon DSLRs, I have missed a way to quickly get those low- and high-angle shots that I need. With the 60D, this just became a whole lot easier.

The second feature that is a real improvement over the other lower-priced DSLR models is the possibility to disable automatic gain control for audio. Now you can set your levels just like on a 5D Mark II. There is absolutely no reason why Canon doesn’t introduce this feature with a firmware update to all their other video DSLRs, other than marketing. Come on, Canon! Give us automatic gain control on your other DSLRs as well – it’s essential if you want to use the mic-in port with something like a Rode VideoMic (which is, by the way, quite good for what it costs).

As DPreview reports, it isn’t a “real successor” to the 50D as they changed several things about the camera body. They repositioned the entire model as its body is now “less professional” as before: It used to be made of metal, now it’s plastic (though better than the T2i/550D), and it became slightly smaller altogether.

It features several things that people are missing from the T2i/550D: A second wheel for aperture adjustment (on the T2i/550D, a separate button has to be pressed while turning the wheel on the top of the camera, which is quite cumbersome at times), and a small LCD on top displaying key information. This is even more useful with the articulated screen as you can switch off all the insertions on the coloured LCD to judge the image and still be able to see your settings. This is a huge improvement over the T2i/550D. (Check out my original review of the T2i/550D including the test short “February” here.)

Canon EOS 60D

Who is this camera for?

Every DSLR video shooter who doesn’t like the sometimes flimsy handling of the T2i/550D, but doesn’t want to spend twice as much money for the 7D, which delivers the same image quality, has just gotten one more option. The 60D’s articulated screen and the manual gain control are improvements even over the more expensive 7D, while the 7D is still the one of the most robust DSLRs with its magnesium alloy body and weather-proofing.

Canon’s new EF lenses (L series)

The new Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye

Little attention has been given to Canon’s introduction of series of new EF lenses (L series – the best they make).

With the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS, the EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II and the very interesting EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye these introductions are at the very wide and long ends of the lens spectrum, respectively. Can’t wait to get a chance to try these.

Comments

There seems to be a growing spectrum of usability and fucntion growing in the V-DSLR arena. While I’m stoked for Sony’s VX10 to come out, I feel like the D60 gives me 90% of what I miss when shooting on my 5Dm2. If they would just make something with a dedicated audio levels wheel, I would be set for life 🙂

I agree. It’s a funny thing that Canon’s first video-capable DSLR, the 5D Mark II, still delivers the most eye-pleasing images. However, it shows that the 5Dmk2 is aging fast – its LCD isn’t sharp enough to thoroughly judge focus, and the button layout is not good for video shooting. The 5D Mark III will be something a lot of people are waiting for, and hopefully they will put in a processor fast enough to bin the images (instead of line-skipping), eliminating the most annoying aliasing issues of the camera.

I am currently working on a project where we shot on a Red One and the 5Dmk2 and they go together very nicely. Despite its age, it’s still the greatest video DSLR out there.

Yeah, I mean I keep thinking I’m going to make a switch, but then I look at my options and they are few and far between. Even the D60-the only advantages it offers over a hacked GH-1 are that I have the lenses already and I’m familiar with the EOS layout… So I’ll stick with my 5D and just get better glass this coming year I guess 🙂

Canon has to give the 7D/550D a firmware update now for manuel gain control! Also to lure people away from Magic Latern, which is now also available on the 550D. I don’t think that they like they’re camera’s being hacked mainly for the AGC disable which they can easily solve themselves, especially now that a consumer camera has it, not just the higher classed 5DMKII.

I agree, this would be the number one reason to hack the cameras. I also don’t get why they’re not releasing it, because Canon (as opposed to Sony and others) has shown before that they are willing to give users increased functionality after they have already purchased their product! (I’m thinking of the 5Dmk2 FW updates.)

This is indeed outrageous. The suggested retail price in € isn’t any better: body-only for €1.149, that currently equals $1.460.
However, don’t forget that US prices don’t include VAT, European prices always do!

I am still anxious to know about K-Temp WB.
Did I miss it from the spec?
hm… swivel LCD is number one reason, and no AGC would be big 2nd reason to get this one.. you wanna race who gets this first? You beat me to 550D T2i last time by hair, LOL!
Thanks for great insight, Nino!

I can’t see how the articulated screen ends up being an advantage when shooting video. Sure, you can see the SCREEN on low/high angle shots, but can you see the quality of FOCUS? Even if there is a different “sticky” frame coming out from the Zacuto folks that will allow Z-finder to attach, I still think it will be difficult for something like a Z-finder to attach to the angled frame w/out the frame moving due to the weight some Z-finder. In the end game it would seem as though we gain flexibility as the expense of sharp focus, no? Is there something I’m missing or not thinking through rightly??

Come on, you can’t talk that into a disadvantage! This is ridiculous. Of course it is better to be able to look at the screen from different angles. It is rather pointless to attach a viewfinder onto the camera if, say, you are viewing the image from a low angle, because you will not be able to get your head right down on the ground. And it’s not necessary, you can judge focus first and then get the exact framing.

Also, most viewfinders are certainly not too heavy for that articulated screen (ignoring the fact that the main position a viewfinder makes sense at is the “standard” position of the LCD right behind the camera, same position as on all other cameras).

YIKES! I was just throwing my first impression out there about the screen, I wasn’t trying to make a an argument that I was right (hence me asking the question at the end).
If I’m at an awkward angle I usually have a monitor attached. I guess that I’ve also seen how much my focus improved (especially when shooting wide open) when I got a z-finder. I shot an impromptu shoot of my friend getting engaged last weekend where I just happened to have my 7D but didn’t have Z-finder. I thought I was getting good focus but I was shooting at 1.4 and missed just enough to where it’s driving me nuts! As far as what I was thinking as it came to the weight, I shot some stills with my friend’s Nikon the other day and his screen would not have been able to hold my Z-finder. Now, it’s VERY possible that his screen is looser than most, but again, that was just my first thought this morning.

I’m not saying that the screen is a bad thing, I just was having a hard time seeing how the whole thing would work together. BTW, thanks for keeping up the blog. Also enjoy reading your thoughts!

We shall see! It’s true many viewfinders will be too heavy. Canon should finally start ditching that mirror, it’s not good for anything if you’re shooting video. Then we could use the “real” viewfinder as a viewfinder.

This is one area where Sony shows them how it’s done, with their new A33 and A55.

The interesting thing about the whole view finder thing is a lot of these companies are opting to mount these to the camera via tripod mount which obviously isn’t going to work for this articulating screen.

Also I think it could be a little awkward to hold when using a view finder with the screen folded out. as you will have to hold the camera out to the right rather than closer to your body. May be a little more difficult to handheld (that’s if you aren’t using a rig)

In saying that, it won’t be long before zacuto, and redrock micro and letus develop something for this camera.

I agree, most problems of these cameras (like aliasing) derive simply from the fact that they are still cameras too. It would be even cheaper to develop an imager with 1.920×1.080 resolution at the same size.
Check out my related blog post on that matter: http://ninofilm.net/blog//2010/04/26/full_hd_crop_zoom/

It’ll be interesting to see what Nikon’s D7000 will be like, as they’ll definitely up the ante in terms of video performance to keep up with Canon. I’m really hoping for 50/60fps but I’m not too optimistic at the same time.

Would you recommend this over the 550D for someone starting out on HDSLR film making? I would assume yes..

I can only tell if I get the opportunity to try them both. As for now, you are right: the articulated screen, plus 25fps and 720p recording at 60fps for slow-motion clearly means the 60D is ahead for video …

I accidentally burned my 550D LCD screen by letting the low-sun shine through a viewfinder, which Canon replaced, along with my EF-S 18-135. So now I have a brand new T2i/550D in the box. I really want the swivel-screen on the 60D, but I’m not sure if the camera is actually as good as the T2i. In your opinion is it a step in a better direction?

Hi,
I just got my canon 60D and I want to buy a good but cheap lens since I am a student and I can’t afford an expensive one. I want a good lens which takes clear pictures, portraits etc. My limit is 400/450 dollars.

Hey Mona,
I agree with Nino. The Sigma 30/1.4 is fantastic. An alternative would be the Tamron 17-50/2.8..you sacrifice two stops of speed but get a bit of zoom range…however, that gorgeous DoF is so much easier to achieve with apertures wider than 2.8.

I’ve had the 30/1.4 as my only lens on the 60D for about 6 months now and it’s been great.

I’m pretty eager to buy my first camera, but can’t decide on which one to get – and (all though it’s and older blog) this seams like a good place to ask.

The main purpose of the camera will be to shoot short films, and I really want (near) professional picture quality. I’m mostly considering the 60D or the 5Dm2. My concerns between the two are mostly about the price, full frame, flip out screen and the possibility to shoot slow motion
– and does any of them have better sound?

Any thoughts about which one to get and which lens(es) is good for all around filmning (shoots fictions, so I need a bit of a range)?

About Nino Leitner

Nino Leitner, AAC is a filmmaker, DP and film producer based in Vienna, Austria - yet mostly working around the globe. He focuses mainly on commercial & corporate work as well as documentaries, with an increasing number of fictional narrative projects.